Authentic Cambodia and unknown South-Laos Exploration Tour
Are you ready to adventure in Cambodia and unknown parts of Laos?
This interesting adventure tour will allow you to discover two unique countries, the mysterious South of Laos and Cambodia. You explore the unknown part of Laos, the South and the highlights of Cambodia and you will enjoy the many different ways of local transportation. We also travel to the less visited places of these countries and get a "real" taste of Southern Laos and Cambodia.
We start in the metropolis Bangkok. We travel by night train to the East of Thailand and cross the border with Laos. In the South of Laos we explore the Bolaven Plateau with its cool climate, the waterfalls and coffee plantations. We visit the Khmer ruins of Wat Phou and explore the "4000 islands" in the famous Mekong River region in the far South of Laos.
From the Southern part of Laos we enter Cambodia. We explore the fascinating province of Rattanakiri in the Northeast of Cambodia and we make a two-day trekking through this unique region and we will meet the local hill tribes. We continue to travel on the Mekong River in a southern direction. On the way we have the chance to see the beautiful and playful but almost extinct Irrawaddy dolphins.
After our visit of Phnom Penh with her “bloody” history we travel through Kep to Kampot in the South of Cambodia. During this part of the trip we maybe will have the possibility to visit Bokor Mountain. In Sihanoukville we have free time to relax and enjoy the beach, a good place to reflect upon all our “adventures” so far.
We continue traveling and discover the floating villages on the Tonle Sap River nearby the small city Kampong Chhnang and local life in the countryside of Battambang. We will use the different ways of local transportation. Truly an unique experience!
Highlight of this exploration tour is Angkor. You will have two full days to enjoy the beautiful temples of Angkor at you own pace. You will be mesmerized by the masterpieces of this old Khmer kingdom: the Angkor Wat, the Bayon with the many towers each with faces, the Ta Phrom temple strangled by the roots of trees, the beautiful relief's of the Bantey Srei temple. The temples of Angkor are truly a wonder of the world!
From Siem Reap we continue traveling over land to Bangkok, the end of this fascinating adventure.
This Authentic Cambodia and unknown South-Laos adventure tour gives you an impression of the highlights of South-Laos and a very complete overview of Cambodia. We explore not only the tourist highlights but also the lesser known parts of these beautiful countries. To get a “real taste” of these countries we will use the many different local transportation possibilities. Your memories of this adventure will last a lifetime!
Programme
Day 1 Bangkok - Ubon Ratchathani
Individual arrival in Bangkok. At 19.00 hours we meet at
the Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok. Welcome by the tour leader.
Than we take the night train to Ubon Ratchathani
in the East of Thailand. We sleep in the train in comfortable
beds.
Overnight on the train.
Day 2 Ubon Ratchathani - Bolaven Plateau (B)
After arrival in Ubon Ratchathani we travel with private bus Chong Mek and
cross the border with Laos. After the border formalities we continue our trip
to the Bolaven Plateau.
Overnight on the Bolaven Plateau.
Day 3 Bolaven Plateau (B)
In the morning we make a walk in the area along the houses of the local people
and we see also the coffee plantations. In the afternoon you have free time
to relax or to continue your exploration of the area.
Overnight on the Bolaven Plateau.
Day 4 Bolaven Plateau - Don Khong (B)
We leave the plateau and travel further to the south.
We visit the Khmer ruins of the great Wat Phou temple. We continue our
way along the Mekong river and arrive in Si
Phan Don, the "4000
Islands" region.
Overnight on Don Khong.
Day 5 Don Khong (B)
Today you can make an optional excursion to the islands of Don Khon and Don
Det and the Khon Phapheng waterfall (price approximately 20$ per
person). Or you can rent a bicycle and discover Don Khong Island on your
own.
Overnight on Don Khong.
Day 6 Don Khong - Ban Lung (B)
We depart for the border. We leave Laos and welcome
Cambodia. After the border formalities we continue our trip to Stung Treng,
the most Northern Cambodian town along the Mekong river. We
visit a weaving project which gives underprivileged women a chance to alleviate
poverty and improve their situation.
The women receive language courses (Cambodian and English) and learn to weave
silk, dye silk and sewing. There is also a Kindergarten for the children
of these women. In the afternoon we continue our trip to Ban Lung,
the capital of the province Rattanakiri, one of the most authentic provinces
of Cambodia.
Overnight in Ban Lung.
Day 7 two-day trekking Rattanakiri (B-L-D)
Today we start our 2-day trekking through the countryside of Rattanakiri.
We pass through different villages of the ethnic minorities who live in
this region. Lunch on the way. We spend the night in the communal house
in a village of the Kreung people. Dinner in the village.
Overnight in
hill tribe village.
Day 8 Rattanakiri (B-L)
After breakfast we continue our walk through nature. Lunch on the way. Before
we return back to our jungle lodge we visit the magical Yeak Lom Lake.
Overnight
in Ban Lung.
Day 9 Ban Lung - Kratie (B)
We leave Ban Lung and drive back to the Mekong river,
and continue south to Kratie. On the way we stop along the Mekong river and
visit the endangered
Irrawaddy dolphins who live here in this part of the Mekong.
In the afternoon arrival in the small town of Kratie.
Overnight in Kratie.
Day 10 Kratie - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh (B)
In the morning we take the public boat en go downstream on the Mekong river from
Kratie to Kammpong Cham. This part of the
Mekong river is one of the most interesting routes of the Mekong in
Cambodia. In the afternoon we continue by private bus from Kampong Cham to
Phnom Penh. On the way we visit Wat Nokor, an interesting combination of a
modern pagoda build within a 11th century temple. We also make a stop at the
fried spiders. Anyone hungry? In the late afternoon arrival in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phom Penh.
Day 11 Phnom Penh (B)
Today we explore the highlights of Phnom Penh. We visit the Killing Fields
of Choeng Ek and after that S-21, the former prison of the Khmer Rouge, now
a museum which is witness of the brutalities of the Pol Pot regime. Afternoon
we visit the National Museum which has magnificent art pieces of the Angkor
kingdom. After this we visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. In the
late afternoon you have free time to explore one of the interesting markets
of Phnom Penh by your self. The Central Market and the Russian Market are
interesting to visit and to buy souvenirs.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 12 Phnom Penh-Kampot (B)
In Kandal province we visit an interesting local market. This market is seldom
visited by tourists and we attract a lot of attention from the local people.
We continue and visit Phnom Chisor, an old Khmer temple located on a hill top.
Around noon we arrive in Kep, a famous seaside resort in the 60's, but later
almost completely destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Rebuilding of the city is now
taking place. We have a few hours time to enjoy the local sphere of this cambodian
seaside town. Afterwards we drive to Kampot.
Overnight in Kampot.
Day 13 Kampot - Bokor Mountain - Sihanoukville (B)
Optional excursion to Bokor Mountain (price 25$ per person)
With 4x4 cars we drive to Bokor Mountain
National Park. Bokor was developed by the French as a hill station at the beginning
of the 20th century. Visitors came to enjoy the cool weather and the luxurious
accommodation. Later Bokor was deserted and now the ruins of colonial villas,
the casino, the church and the hotel make a strange impression. Picnic lunch
is included in the excursion.
In the afternoon we drive back downhill Bokor Mountain and continue our way
to Sihanoukville, the most important cambodian seaside town.
Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Note: there are plans for the development of Bokor Mountain: renovation of the buildings on Bokor Mountain, new holiday homes and a new road to the top. It may not be possible to visit Bokor Mountain because of these developments. In case that this optional excursion is not possible, we will drive from Kampot to Sihanoukville in the morning.
Day 14 Sihanoukville (B)
Free day. Today you have time to relax and enjoy the beach. Or
you can make an optional excursion to the Ream National Park (price approximately
20$ per person) or to one of the
islands to go snorkeling (price approximately
20$ per person).
Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Day 15 Sihanoukville-Kampong Chhnang (B)
We drive back north and visit
Udong, the capital of Cambodia during 248 years till 1866 when the capital
was moved to Phnom Penh. The ruins are an important pilgrimage site for
the cambodian people. After this visit we continue to Kampong
Chhnang, an important fishing port.
Overnight in Kampong Chhnang.
Day 16 Kampong Chhnang-Battambang (B)
In the morning we make a boat trip on the river and see the floating villages
of the fishing families, mostly ethnic vietnamese. Afterwards we continue
to Battambang.
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 17 Battambang (B)
Today we make a trip by motor taxi and experience the country life of
the cambodian people first hand. We also make a fun trip with the "bamboo
train",
a very special experience!
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 18 Battambang-Siem Reap (B)
Today we make a boat trip on the Sangker
river and the Tonle Sap lake. This is one of the most interesting
boat trips in Cambodia. In the afternoon we arrive in Siem Reap, gateway
to Angkor.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Note: the boat trip is only possible when there is enough water in the river. In the dry season (February to June) when there is not enough water, then this route will be made overland by private bus.
Day
19 and Day 20 Siem Reap (B)
You have 2 full days for your individual exploration of the temples
of Angkor, the cultural highlight of Cambodia. The temple
complex of Angkor is one of the most important Wonders of the World: the
bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat, the Bayon with 54 towers each with 4 faces,
the Ta Prohm temple with trees and roots all over, the beautiful
Banteay Srei temple carved from red stone and the River of a thousand
Lingas in the jungle are some of the highlights of Angkor.
Overnights in
Siem Reap.
Day 21 Siem Reap-Bangkok (B)
With our private bus we drive to Poi Pet, the border with Thailand.
After crossing the border we continue with private bus to Bangkok.
Around 18.00 hours arrival in Bangkok. We can look back on our unforgettable
tour through the South of Laos and all Cambodia!
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 22 Bangkok (B)
After breakfast end of the tour. Hotel check-out the latest at 12.00 hours.
Group Tours
| Start date | Finish date | Places available |
| 1 March 2009 | 22 March 2009 | Yes |
| 2 August 2009 | 23 August 2009 | Yes |
Individual Tours
You can make this Cambodia and South-Laos exploration tour also as an individual tour on other dates during the year. You will be escorted by an English speaking, expert Tour Leader. For 6 persons or more, the prices are the same as the prices for the group tours.
Price Group Tours
€ 1390 per person
An advance payment of 25% of the price has to be made at the time of booking.
The balance is payable the latest 6 weeks before the departure date of the tour.
Included in the price
- all visits as described in the programme of the tour
- all accommodation with breakfast, in 2-person rooms with bath and/or shower and toilet
- meals mentioned in the programme (2 x lunch and 1 x dinner)
- all transportation in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia according to the programme
- English speaking Tour Leader
- entrance fees according to the programme
- local guides with most of the visits
- reservation- and bookings costs
- local taxes like room tax and service charge
Not included in the price
- international air tickets to/from Bangkok, Thailand
- other meals
- visa costs
- optional excursions
- local tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
- airport taxes
- travel insurance
- personal expenses like drinks, souvenirs, massage, etc.
Single Room Supplement
In principle the room will be shared with another participant. Single travelers share the room with another single traveler of the same sex.
Single travelers who do not want to share the room can book a single room. The supplement for a single room is € 240.
Visa
The visa for Laos and Cambodia have to be obtained by you beforehand in your home country. The visa for Thailand can be obtained on arrival at the airport of Bangkok.
Info
Travel code : LAC
Meals: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Duration : 22 days in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia
Start of the Tour : Bangkok, Thailand
Finish of the Tour : Bangkok, Thailand
Group : 6 - 14 persons
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